Material working apparatus



June 9 2- fflMARTlNbELL 2,285,295-

Filed Sept. 21, 1940 I l/mwro KIM/1117711! ATM/Mi) Patented June 2, 1942 S. PATENT OFFIC MATERIAL WORKING APPARATUS Frank Martindell, Western Springs, 111., assignor to Western Electric Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation or Incorporated, New York Application September 21, 1940, Serial No. 351,741

(01. Hid -110) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to material working apparatus, and more particularly to a strip .material locating and clamping device for punch press tools. v

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable material locating and holding device for material working apparatus, such as punch press tools;

One embodiment of the invention contemplates the provision of a strip stock locating and clamping device for punch press tools, in which the strip stock is pressed against a fixed gauge or abutment by the side expansion of a soft rubber block when compressed vertically by a plunger movable with the reciprocatory punch of a punch and die set.

A more complete understanding of the invention will be-had from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. i is a vertical sectional and die set eduipped with a strip material locating and clamping device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view with the strip material shown clamped in position by the device, and

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawing comprises a stationary die member l and a reciprocatory punch member ll adapted to cooperate iii - material is pressed against the gauge plateand 22 when the latter is compressed vertically by a plunger 23 attached to the punch supporting plate IS. The rubber block is supported upon the die supporting plate It member 20. It is confined on vertical channel 25 fixed to the die supporting plate, and its remaining side is exposed for engageme'nt with the enlarged outer end of the clamping member. The construction and arrangement are such that the soft rubber block is vertically compressed by theplunger' 23 during each downward movement of the punch. This causes the exposed side of the rubber block to expand or bulge The expanded or bulged-out portion of the rubber block engages and presses the clamping member toward the gauge plate, whereby the strip is thereby properly located and held in position view of a punch with the die member to punch circular disks from v a strip l2 of sheet material. to a fixed platen or die supporting plate It, only a portion of which is shown, and this plate may comprise or be attached to the stationary bed of a conventional punch press. The punch member H is attached to a reciprocatory platen or punch supporting plate IE), only a portion of' which is shovmJand this plate may comprise or be attached to the reciprocatory platen of the press. Above the die, the usual stripper plate I8 is provided, and on one side of the die opening a gauge plate I! is interposed between the stripper plate and the die. Opposite the gauge plate, a movable clamping member 20 is provided for pressing the strip material against the gauge plate, whereby the strip material is properly positioned with respect to the punch and die members andis held against displacement during punching operations.

The clamping member is adapted to be shifted toward the gauge plate by the side expansion or deformation of a highly elastic soft rubber block The die is attached signed and arranged sov as for the punching operation. The parts are de- V to insure proper positioning of the strip material bythe clamping member just prior to each punching operation. As the punch supporting plate approaches the end of its upward movement, the rubber block, by its own elasticity, resumes its normal shape shown in Fig. 1,. thus permitting free movement of the strip material through the die.

It is to be understood that the apparatus herein illustrated and described is merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, which is capable of other applications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1: In a material working apparatus, a material holding device'comprising a fixed abutment and an elastic solid member adapted, when compressed in one direction, to expand in a different direction and thereby press the material against said abutment.

2. In a material working apparatus, a material 1 pressing said rubber block to expand it in said direction.

3. In a material working apparatus, a movable material working element, and a material holding device comprising a fixed abutment, an elastic member having a portion which is adapted, when said member is compressed in one direction, to expand in a diflferent direction for pressing the material against said abutment, and means movable with said material working element for adjacent the clamping three sides by a outwardly, as shown in Fig. ,2.

"a ma strip material against said compressing said elastic member toexpand it in said last mentioned direction.

4. In an apparatus for a movable' material engaging member actuated by said expanded-portion.

.5. In an apparatus for working strip material, a material locating and holding device comprising a rubber block," a compressing said block to expand a portion thereof, and a movable material clamping member actuated by said expanded portion.

6. In an apparatus for working strip material, a reciprocatory punch member, a cooperating die member, a gauge associated with the die member, a movable clamping member for holding the auge, and an elastic member adapted, when compressed, 'to expand transversely and thereby actuate said clamping solid member.

'7. In anapparatusfor working, strip material, a reciprocatory punch member, a cooperating die member, a gauge associated with the die member,

a. movable clamping member for holding the strip material against said gauge, an elastic a, movable clamping reciprocatory member for member adapted, when compressed in one direction, to expand in a different direction and there by actuate said clamping member, and a plunger? for compressing said elastic member to expand it in said first mentioned direction.

8. In an apparatus for workingastrip material, a reciprocatory punch member. a cooperating die member, a gauge associated v .with the die member, a

member having a portion which is adapted, when said member is compressed, to expand in a direc- I last mentioned direction.

pressing force and thereby actuate said clamping member, and a plunger-for compressing said elastic member to expand it in said direction, said plunger being movable with said punch member.

9. In a material working apparatus, a material holding device comprising a fixed abutment, an elastic solid member adapted, when compressed i one direction, to expand in a different directionand thereby press the material against said abutment, and restraining means for constraining said elastic member to expand only in said FRANK MARTINDELL.

member for holding the strip material against said gauge, an elastic 

